<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <rss version="2.0" xml:base="https://www.voscur.org" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"> <channel> <title>Voscur - Human resources</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/core-categories/human-resources</link> <description></description> <language>en</language> <item> <title>Charity jobs: where is the sector as we emerge from the pandemic?</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/news/charity-jobs-where-sector-we-emerge-pandemic</link> <description><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Charity jobs: where is the sector as we emerge from the pandemic?</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Data%20Chart.jpg?itok=TWnpdxqG" width="510" height="388" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">15 September, 2021</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The UK is experiencing a record high in job vacancies, as numbers passed one million for the first time. At the same time, while well over a million people are still on furlough, the Office for National Statistics is reporting that employee levels had returned to pre-Covid levels in August.</p> <p>The sectors hit hardest are human health and social work (167,000 job vacancies), hospitality (134,000) and science and technical professions (98,000), although this pattern is mirrored in the charity sector, with CharityJob currently showing more than 40,000 paid charity roles in their job listings. While it may be the shortage of delivery drivers, chefs and care home assistants that we hear about most often in the news, charities unable to fill vital roles will clearly be hindered in their ability to carry out their work.</p> <p>Things are also changing at the local level, with 324 jobs and voluntary opportunities advertised on Voscur's job pages between June and September in 2020, compared with 563 advertised during the same period in 2021. However, <a href="https://www.charityjob.co.uk/careeradvice/resource/state-of-charity-recruitment" target="_blank">CharityJob reports</a> that: “While staff shortages are being experienced across several sectors of the economy, the charity sector has remained relatively positive. Currently, the average number of applications per job is slightly lower than before the pandemic – certainly not reflective of the desperate staff shortages in other sectors.”</p> <p><strong>Wage concerns</strong></p> <p>In news that may further impact the sector’s ability to recruit at this tricky time, <a href="https://www.livingwage.org.uk/sites/default/files/Low%20pay%20in%20the%20Third%20Sector%20Briefing%20Note.pdf" target="_blank">research from the Living Wage Foundation</a> has found that there has been no improvement in rates of pay in the charity and non-profit sector over the past five years. The report also finds that “as is often the case, when sections of the economy struggle, it usually impacts low paid workers disproportionately.”</p> <p>This disproportionality includes 19% of women in the sector earning below the real living wage, as compared to 13% of men, and people with disabilities or from BAME backgrounds also likely to earn less.</p> <p>Graham Griffiths, interim director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: “After more than a year of pandemic firefighting, the third sector has some time to think about how it rebuilds through and beyond Covid-19. To continue to provide essential services year-round and attract new people into the sector, providing workers with a real Living Wage must be at the heart of this process.”</p> <p>Take a look at <a href="https://www.voscur.org/jobs" target="_blank">Voscur’s paid and voluntary jobs pages</a> to see what’s available in Bristol and the region.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/human-resources">Human resources</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-expiry-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Expiry date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, 15 September, 2021</span></div></div></div></description> <pubDate>Wed, 15 Sep 2021 11:19:45 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>tomb</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">100242 at https://www.voscur.org</guid> <comments>https://www.voscur.org/news/charity-jobs-where-sector-we-emerge-pandemic#comments</comments> </item> <item> <title>The best podcasts to improve your VCSE organisation and career development</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/podcasts-vcse-sector-career-development</link> <description><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>The best podcasts to improve your VCSE organisation and career development</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Headphones%20Listening.png?itok=HVZ39Aoh" width="510" height="350" alt="Hand in grey sweatshirt holding pink headphones on pink background" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Raw Pixel</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">5 July, 2021</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p> <p><span><span><span>As pandemic recovery rolls on, it may still be some time before you’re back in the workplace with all your colleagues and attending face-to-face events. Things might be a little too quiet right now, after 16 months of COVID-19 work patterns and solo coffee breaks. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>If you feel you’re missing out on the kind of VCSE sector information and career development that you’d usually pick up from office conversations or from networking events and talks, we recommend trying some of these podcasts, full of useful conversations to spark ideas and get you thinking. Listen on through your web browser, through a podcast platform (such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Soundcloud), or download episodes to catch up later on your smartphone or tablet.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b><a href="https://www.goodcharitybadcharity.com/listen" target="_blank">Good Charity Bad Charity</a>, by The Business School (formerly Cass)</b> </span></span></span><br /> <span><span><span><b>Hot topics: </b>Social justice; structural inequality; charity shops; the role of faith charities; collaboration. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Produced in association with the Centre for Charity Effectiveness, this sharply-titled podcast interviews leaders from all types of charity, from site-specific (Welsh National Opera; Pembroke House; Elthorne Pride) to communities of interest (Bloody Good Period; Muslim Charities Forum; Prison Radio Association) and household names (Age UK; BBC Children in Need; British Red Cross). We also hear from policy-makers and funders, too.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b><a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/podcasts" target="_blank">Third Sector Podcast</a>, by Third Sector</b> </span></span></span><br /> <span><span><span><b>Hot topics:</b> Sexual harassment in fundraising; returning to the office after lockdown; hidden disabilities and charity leadership; job hunting; Giving Tuesday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This is a weekly podcast of “quick-fire conversation”, with new episodes released every Friday, and each episode lasting roughly 25-40 minutes. It’s run by two Third Sector staff: Rebecca Cooney, Senior Features and Analysis Writer; and Emily Burt, Editor. The hosts make a point of including good news stories about the VCSE sector in each episode, even when tackling thorny issues such as Brexit, sector pay, preventing burnout, and climate change.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b><a href="https://www.acevo.org.uk/resources/podcast/" target="_blank">Leadership Worth Sharing</a>, by ACEVO </b></span></span></span><br /> <span><span><span><b>Hot topics:</b> Anti-racism in the charity sector; listening to your communications team; power dynamics in charities; leading with feminist principles. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>ACEVO stands for the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, so ACEVO’s podcast is, as you’ve probably guessed, all about leaders. ACEVO members come from organisations of all sizes, and the podcast takes the same approach: you’ll recognise some big names, like Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award, and Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter, but there are lots more local organisation leaders profiled as well. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b><a href="https://www.thecharityceo.com" target="_blank">The Charity CEO Podcast</a>, by Dhivya O’Connor</b> </span></span></span><br /> <span><span><span><b>Hot topics:</b> Creating change; what equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) really means; Corporate Social Responsibility; food poverty; youth unemployment; maternity leave. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>We’re in awe of host Dhivya’s ability to multi-task; she launched this podcast in 2020 whilst on maternity leave, she’s currently interim CEO of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and also a current charity trustee, with experience in philanthropy, fundraising and NGOs. Her podcast guests include Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans; Sophie Livingstone MBE, Managing Director of Trustees Unlimited; and Girish Menon, then CEO of Action Aid, now CEO of STiR Education.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b><a href="https://www.cipd.co.uk/podcasts" target="_blank">CIPD Podcast</a>, by CIPD</b></span></span></span><br /> <span><span><span><b>Hot topics</b>: Post-Brexit recruitment; challenging systemic racism at work; digital fatigue; wellbeing for remote workers; workplace conflict. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This isn’t a VCSE sector-specific podcast, but one that focuses on all types of professional development, from equality, diversity and inclusion to human resources. If your role involves managing others, making hiring decisions, developing the organisation or focusing on diversity, you’ll find this podcast useful, even if you don’t have an HR department. Transcripts are available for each episode.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b><a href="https://thebristolcable.org/category/podcast/bristol-unpacked-podcast/" target="_blank">Bristol Unpacked</a>, by The Bristol Cable </b></span></span></span><br /> <span><span><span><b>Hot topics:</b> Racism; ageism and the intergenerational divide; the city’s carbon footprint and the green movement; knife crime. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Our local podcast recommendation comes from one of Bristol’s thriving independent newspapers, The Bristol Cable. Many of the stories covered by the newspaper and its website address topics that are important to the VCSE sector, such as the environment, poverty, addiction issues, and equalities groups. This is matched by the podcast content, too. Host Neil Maggs talks to community leaders, local councillors, and creatives.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Do you have a podcast recommendation that should be on our list? Contact us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/voscur" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/voscur" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. </span></span></span></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/governance">Governance</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/human-resources">Human resources</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/inclusion">Inclusion</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-expiry-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Expiry date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, 5 July, 2021</span></div></div></div></description> <pubDate>Mon, 05 Jul 2021 14:56:21 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>pollya</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">99702 at https://www.voscur.org</guid> </item> <item> <title>Equalities news: National Trust Pride, neurodiverse hiring, and diversity in NGOs</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/equalities-national-trust-pride-neurodiverse-hiring</link> <description><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Equalities news: National Trust Pride, neurodiverse hiring, and diversity in NGOs</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Sign%20Understanding%20Credit%20Sebastian%20Bill%20via%20Unsplash_0.png?itok=F0TFbS6a" width="510" height="350" alt="Sign by water which reads &#039;Understanding&#039;, with pink sky background" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Sebastian Bill via Unsplash</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">21 June, 2021</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p> <p>We've gathered the latest news highlighting equalities groups, both inside and outside the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. This includes the National Trust's Pride celebrations, autism charities offering a toolkit for employers, and a new report on racism in the aid sector.</p> <h3>National Trust director general criticises 'misleading' Telegraph article on volunteers celebrating Pride</h3> <p>Hilary McGrady, the director general of the National Trust, has criticised an article by the Daily Telegraph with the headline 'National Trust tells volunteers to wear rainbow face paint and glitter for Pride'. Writing on <a href="https://twitter.com/HMcG_DGNT/status/1404794063493255173" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, she described the article as 'deliberately misleading again - so sad they are intent on stoking anger and division when there is none. Our wonderful volunteers are entirely at liberty to celebrate #Pride if they so wish or not'. Pride is a month-long global celebration of LGBT+ identity, history and culture.</p> <p>Those replying to her tweet included several volunteers - one called the newspaper's story 'wholly false', whilst another wrote: 'Proud to wear both my #volunteering and #pride #nt badges alongside each other, and not forced or (on the other hand) told not to.' Many National Trust members also responded to the tweet, praising the organisation for being 'vocal', 'active' and 'welcoming for everyone'. The story was also picked up by Mail Online, using the headline 'National Trust is criticised after asking volunteers to wear rainbow colours for Pride month amid growing backlash over its 'woke' policies.</p> <p>The Telegraph has since changed the wording of the headline from 'tells volunteers' to 'asks volunteers'. A spokesperson for the National Trust told the newspaper:<br /> "We have issued a guide to Pride to properties to give them some background about the month, and offer some ideas about how they might get involved."</p> <h3>Autism toolkit for employers launched by two charities</h3> <p>The charities Ambitious About Autism and The Autism Education Trust have developed a <a href="https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/what-we-do/employment/toolkits/toolkit-for-employers" target="_blank">downloadable toolkit</a> to help employers support any staff and potential employees with autism or another neurodiverse condition. The toolkit is part of a <a href="https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/what-we-do/employment/toolkits" target="_blank">wider range of tools</a>, including workplace advice for young people with autism.</p> <p>According to the Office for National Statistics, only 22% of people with autism are in full or part-time employment. They face many barriers to inclusion - for example, Ambitious About Autism found it is difficult for young autistic people to access careers advice and work experience. </p> <p>Neurodiverse people bring a lot to the workplace, but employers need to be aware of reasonable workplace adjustments that can help them feel more comfortable and secure. Employers also need to look at recruitment practices, to make sure they are inclusive, and think about aspects such as travelling to a face-to-face interview. The toolkit contains a template for inviting autistic people to interview, describing the workplace environment, and highlighting any sensory triggers. </p> <h3>90% of NGO staff do not believe their organisation is committed to diversity</h3> <p>A new report by umbrella body Bond found that 90% of workers in the UK and global aid sector do not think their organisation is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The report, called <a href="https://www.bond.org.uk/resources/racism-power-and-truth" target="_blank"><em>Racism, power and truth: Experiences of people of colour in development</em></a>, surveyed 150 people of colour working in the UK's Non-Governmental Organisations, both in the UK and overseas. It found that 68% of respondents had experienced a racist incident or supported a colleague who experienced racism in the past year. </p> <p>85% of respondents felt that getting promoted was not a possibility for them, but was only available to non-minority employees. Some people who took the survey also spoke about unfair advantages for Oxbridge-educated staff or "'friends' of those with power". </p> <p>The report also emphasised a need to reflect on the colonial roots of humanitarian aid and development organisations, and develop actively anti-racist policies and workplace culture.</p> <h3>Support from Voscur for equalities issues</h3> <p>If you're looking to improve your awareness of EDI for your organisation, our VCSE Academy courses can help.<br /> <a href="https://www.vcseacademy.org/events/being-a-good-employer-2/" target="_blank">Being a Good Employer</a> (Wednesday 6 October) is led by an expert trainer who specialises in EDI. The course looks at employment law, best practice, and areas for improvement. We also offer <a href="https://www.vcseacademy.org/tailored-training-enquiry/" target="_blank">bespoke training</a>, tailored to the needs of your organisation and your team. </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/human-resources">Human resources</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/inclusion">Inclusion</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/volunteering">Volunteering</a></div></div></div></description> <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2021 11:03:30 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>pollya</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">99586 at https://www.voscur.org</guid> </item> </channel> </rss>